The Higher The Monkey Climbs

Paperback | April 15, 2018

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about

Twenty-five years after his father Gord died in a car accident, Richard gets a call from his cousin Tony, who is working on a theory that Gord's death was orchestrated by Al Forzante, Gord's former boss and a powerful union leader. With his own career and marriage sputtering, Richard is reluctant to believe Tony, inclined instead to cling to the one sure source of his own self-worth--being the son of legendary labour lawyer Gordon McKitrick. Does Richard believe Tony, pursue Forzante and risk revealing unsavory elements of his father's life? Or does he keep his mouth shut, humiliate his cousin, and allow Forzante's crime to go unpunished? A mystery plated with plenty of sides, The Higher the Monkey Climbs examines our relationships to our own pasts and how we adjust to the world as it shifts around us.

Bruce Geddes's fiction has appeared in The New Quarterly, Great Lakes Review and The Hart House Review, and he has written two books for Lonely Planet and worked as a producer for the CBC. With a MA in Latin American Literature, he's a graduate of the Humber School for Writers. Bruce lives and works in Toronto.

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Reviews

Rated 5 out of
5 by
carguy from
A great book that reveals a subtle bit of humourIt was so refreshing (for me) to read a novel that takes place in Toronto (Southern Ontario actually) with references to the sights and sounds that I love so much. You land in the middle of Richard's life from the start and are swept along immediately for the ride as he tries to sort out the relationships with his past and present. With a subtle wink of humour throughout and a diverse mix of characters with interesting backgrounds, it is a true reflection of life in Southern Ontario (and Canada for that matter). It was a truly refreshing read for me.

Date published: 2018-05-22

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Malcolm from
Canada's next famous authorGeddes is like a fine Canadian whiskey with a distinct Canadian flavour akin to Downey or Lightfoot. His work is a mix of the classic, concise punch of Hemingway and the biting satire of Joseph Heller. Geddes latest book, “The Higher the Monkey Climbs” reaches deeply into the secrets that every parent keeps from their children and how those secrets are eventually revealed with unintended consequences.

Date published: 2018-05-17

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Milena from
Loved It!From publisher’s ARC
“The Higher the Monkey Climbs” in a smart, fascinating novel that makes you flip the pages, as you uncover the architecture of the plot, while important questions of the modern, interconnected world surface. The narrative and the dialogue are artfully crafted. The detail, nuance, even a touch of humor, create many layers and a distinctive texture and richness of this powerful writing.
Bruce Geddes manages to paint an unassuming yet intriguing universe of a lawyer who is trying to find his way, as he discovers more about those around him; he is trapped into some old family ties and some recent circumstances that prompt him to re-evaluate and challenge previous assumptions. I guess one of the themes talks about the importance of knowing what to fight and what to accept in life. The book is also about handling power, about victors and victims. It’s about the effect of this rapidly changing world, reshaped by varied forces.
Bruce Geddes has a voice that resonates beautifully to the human condition under contemporary conditions. He is a sensitive observer and a refined storyteller. His prose is much needed, as it raises questions about choices we make in everyday life. I just hope that we will hear more from him. I am already lining up for his next book.